A review of health care in Alberta contains 57 recommendations and 72 opportunities for saving money.

The review is the first in 10 years since Alberta Health Services was formed.

"Every dollar we save will be put right back into the health system to deliver on our promise to improve access and make the system work better for patients," says Health Minister Tyler Shandro. "It’s about freeing up administrative resources so we can spend more directly on Albertans’ health care."

The government has accepted the report, with two exceptions: there will be no hospital closures or consolidation of urban trauma centres.

Shandro says the report identifies a range of long-term savings initiatives.

"While the report outlines up to $1.9 billion in savings, that's based on pushing every suggested change and initiative to its theoretical limit. And it also doesn't account for upfront implementation costs or some of the saving strategies that AHS already has underway," he says "I don't expect to achieve all the savings that are in the report."

Ernst & Young spoke to 1,200 physicians, 27,000 front-line staff and 4,200 AHS leaders.

Over the next 100 days, AHS will talk with staff and clinical leaders as it develops a long-term implementation plan.

Alberta Health Services welcomes the release of the AHS Review.

"We were pleased to work with Ernst and Young throughout the review process and we are ready to move forward as we continue to innovate and build a financially sustainable health system that is available for all Albertans when they need care," said Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS President and CEO. "Some of these recommendations will be acted on quickly, while others will require additional exploration and upfront investment."

However, not everyone's so happy with the report and its recommendations.

Public Interest Alberta says one recommendation shifts the cost of pharmaceuticals, medical care and supplies to long term care patients and away from the health care system.

The Alberta Federation of Labour says the report calls for deep cuts and the privatization of lab services.